Dental Assistants vs Natural Sciences Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn $113,880 more per year than Dental Assistants professionals — that's 240.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Dental Assistants$36,190 – $61,780
Natural Sciences Managers$79,830 – N/A
$36,190$79,830
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Dental Assistants | Natural Sciences Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,190 | $79,830 | $-43,640 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,520 | $114,110 | $-74,590 |
| Median (50th) | $47,300 | $161,180 | $-113,880 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,910 | $214,820 | $-157,910 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,780 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $48,860 | $173,500 | $-124,640 |
Employment Numbers
Dental Assistants
375,430
employed nationwide
Natural Sciences Managers
100,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Dental Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,360 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $64,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $62,700 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $60,890 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $59,270 |
Best Cities for Natural Sciences Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $222,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $221,480 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $219,380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $208,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $199,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Dental Assistants or Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $113,880 (240.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Dental Assistants?
Dental Assistants salaries range from $36,190 (10th percentile) to $61,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $47,300.
What is the salary range for Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers salaries range from $79,830 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,180.
How many Dental Assistants and Natural Sciences Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 375,430 Dental Assistants positions and 100,870 Natural Sciences Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Natural Sciences Managers to Dental Assistants?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Dental Assistants has a median salary of $47,300 while Natural Sciences Managers earns $161,180. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS